Darkness at the Edge of Town (Iris Ballard #2)(38)

There was just one thing I had to do before I left. Something I dreaded more than walking into that “temple.”

I heard Mom’s car next door around four and began building up my confidence and defenses for the battle to come. I wasn’t even halfway ready when ten minutes later, the front door opened and Mom stepped in. I could tell by her fake pout and squared shoulders that she was still upset about the night before. Some of her therapists thought she had borderline personality disorder with narcissistic tendencies, but I wasn’t sure she fully fit the criteria. She definitely was bipolar and had been on medication for over a decade. But the dysfunction didn’t stop there. I’d decided long ago she was also stuck at age sixteen. Moody, immature, and selfish. I learned early that there was no point in arguing with her; she was all but a stone wall when it came to her position. Guess that’s where Billy and I got it from. I knew I had to be the more mature person, taking a few licks to the pride to smooth things out with Mom. At least when it came to events like the previous night’s tiff. But when it came to big issues like me dropping out of high school to get my GED or joining the FBI, I held my ground. World wars began between us, but I stuck it out and won in the end. Hell, even when I “lost” to her I usually won. As she stepped in, I said a silent prayer that I wouldn’t need my battle armor that night.



“Hi, Mom,” I said as she shut the front door.

“Hi, Faye. How was work?” Grandma asked beside me.

“Fine,” she said, pout still affixed.

I knew what I had to do. I rose from the couch, walked over to her, and pulled her into a hug. Her petite body grew tense in my arms for several seconds, but eventually she hugged me back. “I’m sorry for last night, Mom. I’m sorry I worried you.”

“I know. I’m sorry too. I just don’t want anything to happen to you,” she whispered. “I’ve almost lost you twice, and I may have lost Billy now. I don’t know how much more I can take.”



I released my mother and smiled. “I know. I’ve put you through a lot. And I am sorry for that. Really. And I’m sorry I haven’t been around. I wasn’t in a good place. It had nothing to do with my love for you all. It was selfish. But all I can do is try to make it up to you all. Okay?”

“Okay,” Mom said, nodding.

“And you haven’t lost Billy. He’s just…a little lost in himself, like I was. But I swear to you, Mom, I’ll do everything in my power to help bring him back. I swear on Hayden’s grave I will.”

Mom began tearing up and caressing my hair. “Thank you, baby. I know you will. I’m just…I’m so scared. And I hate feeling helpless. I hate it. Especially when my child’s involved.”

“I know, Mom.”

“You can’t. Not until you have children of your own, you truly can’t.”

She had me there. “You’re right.” I took her hand and kissed her knuckles. “But I’m committed to finding him.”

“Just don’t put yourself in danger too,” she said.

“Mom, I’m not in danger, and neither is Billy. At least not physically.”

“But he is in danger?” Mom asked, voice raising an octave with each syllable.

Me and my big, tactless mouth. “No. Danger isn’t the right…” I sighed. “If I had to guess, right now, Billy is the happiest he’s been in his life. Or that’s what he thinks at least.”

“Why? What have you found out?” Mom asked.

“Sit down, Mom,” I said.



“No. No!” She held out her arms as if I were going to move her. “I-I’m fine here. Don’t mollycoddle me. I’m the parent here. Just tell me.”

I glanced over at Grandma, who was listening as well, then back to Mom with a sigh. Just do it. “I discovered Billy…Mom, he married a girl named Betsy a few days ago. Because she’s pregnant.”

Grandma let out a quiet gasp and Mom’s eyes doubled in size. I mentally prepared myself for the screaming, crying, and hysteria. “Ar-Are you sure? How do you know?” she asked in a small voice.

“One of the people at The Temple told me when I brought his name up.”

“They could be lying,” Grandma said.

“They don’t know I’m his sister, and they had no reason to lie,” I said.

“That would explain why he left so suddenly,” Mom said, still in shock, still staring at the ground. “Do you…what do you know about this girl?”

“Not a lot. By all accounts she’s just a shy, nice girl.”

“Not that nice if she steals another woman’s fiancé,” Mom pointed out.

“Oh, God. Does Gia know?” Grandma asked.

“Yeah. I told her today.”

“Is she okay?” Grandma asked.

“It was a shock, but she’s tough. She’s strong. It sucks, but I think she’ll be okay.”

“Should we call her? Offer our support?” Grandma asked.

“It couldn’t hurt,” I said.

“I can’t believe this,” Mom said, shaking her head. “Is-Is it legal? Do they plan to live with those crazies? Is she getting prenatal care or is some witch doctor dancing over her with a stick and berries? Is—”